UPDATE: There is now a Change.org petition seeking to have Minaj change her single artwork: “The cover photo is disrespectful to the life and legacy of Malcolm X and all that he fought against and represented.”

Nicki Minaj is back at it musically after taking a break to do TV (American Idol) and film (The Other Woman), and just yesterday she released the music video for her new single, “Lookin’ A** Ni**a.” And while the video is interesting, to say the least, it’s the cover for the single alone that has people talking. Minaj posted the image on her Instagram yesterday, and as you can see above, it’s the iconic image of Malcolm X holding a semi-automatic weapon peering out of his window (Nicki holds a similar gun in the music video). Of course (black history month fact time!) the image is from 1964 and shows the activist trying to protect himself and his family from the death threats coming his way after things became tense between him, Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam.

So flash forward to 2014 and the use of this iconic image to help sell a song called “Lookin’ A** Ni**a,” which is basically slamming men that Minaj feels are clowns and uses the N-word more times than I feel like counting–makes sense why it isn’t sitting well with people, right? And let’s not forget that it’s Black History Month, though the use of this image any other time would still be cringe-worthy and unnecessary. Some tried to say that Minaj is referring to the people that Malcolm X was trying to keep his eye on outside the window, but others just felt it was in bad taste and took to Minaj’s Instagram and Twitter in general to talk about it:

“This is a disgrace and embarrassing.”

“Malcolm x…Being called a n__a by Nicki Minaj… And it’s cool. I just hate our generation.”

sad….I’v never heard anyone use the word n**** so many times in one breath. And to be so disrespectful to use Malcom X as a promote? And for people who are not upset about this obviously need to do their research on Malcom X and found out why this is an issue. People will sell their souls to get a hit on the charts and for money. She’s been garbage to me since “Stupid hoe” what message are we sending this new generation?

Shawndrea Rachelle

R.I.P Malcolm X

provokethought

Nikki is such a joke! Anything for a dollar….and her mouth is just so filthy (literally and figuratively speaking). I’d sign the petition….who told her that “garbage” would be a hot song?!

mr.knowitall

Does anybody else find it fishy that there is a link to her new video in this article? I smell a publicity stunt.

And people wonder why I dislike modern day rap artist and rap music, sigh!

Gert

Me too, can’t stand it

9Boots

I got off of secular rap a decade ago. I live off of Christian Rap and these rappers are the exact opposite of secular rappers. These rappers are married with children, do not curse, and are anti misogyny. I recommended these rappers and getting their albums from the most recent release and then buying the older release. Of course you can always here a sample of their music on Itunes.
Sho Baraka
Hi Society Collective
Da T.R.U.T.H
W.L.A.K
116
Trip Lee
Lecrae
Tedashii
Canton Jones
Andy Mineo
B Reith
Beautiful Eulogy
Swoope
This music saved my life. Irons sharpens iron.

9Boots

I got off of secular rap a decade ago. I live off of Christian Rap and these rappers are the exact opposite of secular rappers. These rappers are married with children, do not curse, and are anti misogyny. I recommended these rappers and getting their albums from the most recent release and then buying the older release. Of course you can always here a sample of their music on Itunes.
Sho Baraka
Hi Society Collective
Da T.R.U.T.H
W.L.A.K
116
Trip Lee
Lecrae
Tedashii
Canton Jones
Andy Mineo
B Reith
Beautiful Eulogy
Swoope
Rapzilla dot com has a lot of free music downloads

Meelah

D “N!*gaz” from our distant past not in a derogatory since….meaning kings , heroes etc. who paved the way! in a positive way for us to have some freedoms that exist today. Iam not that man can’t speak for him but because of his struggle he deserve. some respect.

Its shame how we as a people have to communicate in this day and age re civil rights. It’s. not fair that some folks have more freedom s and others. have controls while people behind the scences get to parlay. take credit for the good. Lets not tarnish the membrance of our former leader former leaders for they were those down n!?gaz from our distant past. Now bout to check. this video out hopefully its not disturbing.

9Boots

Nicki plays for the dark side. She literally sold her soul to Satan a long time ago. Most of these big time music celebrities have and the proof is not only in the music but in their videos. If you really want to know the truth go to Vigilant Citizen dot com. Stop giving these people your money and access to your mind via their music.

She should use her own fathers picture, and put a banana in his mouth with make-up and a pink wig. How about that Monkey Minaj!!!

hollyw

#DEEEEEAD!!!

thatguy0101

And yall get mad when a white persons calls you a n***a…..why, when some blacks are callng each other it and we even put it in music and even STOOP soooooo low to say its a word of endearment (which is almost laughable)….real talk, we blacks may have more money nowadays, but if you think our race is doing better then ever, you are clearly confused.
I thought my generations when I was young was bad (im 30) but this new generations, a lot of yall are truly f**k up in the head….and you know whts funny…..people of our race actually call this music..LMAO!!

9Boots

I got off of secular rap a decade ago. I live off of Christian Rap and these rappers are the exact opposite of secular rappers. These rappers are married with children, do not curse, and are anti misogyny. I recommended these rappers and getting their albums from the most recent release and then buying the older release. Of course you can always here a sample of their music on Itunes.
Sho Baraka
Hi Society Collective
Da T.R.U.T.H
W.L.A.K
116
Trip Lee
Lecrae
Tedashii
Canton Jones
Andy Mineo
B Reith
Beautiful Eulogy
Swoope
Rapzilla dot com has a lot of free music downloads

Taneesha Culture Clash Thomas

yeah she went way left with this one…

Just saying!!

What the f*** is wrong with these so-called “rappers” today and their need to say stupid, ignorant sh**!!! Ughhhhh I already found this..person…to be annoying and this certainly ain’t helping!!

Ajuanya Washington

Shabazz sisters go get a Lawyer and do what you need to do, You have Black america behind you. Now where is Jesse and AL, Jamie Fox Oprah etc now, here’s something for you to take care of that needs to be addressed quick!!!

Ajuanya Washington

Is everyone really surprised, as classless as she is. His daughters should sue her for every dime she thinks she has. She is a disgrace to entertainment industry. old blade face tramp!!

guest

She clearly has no respect for her elders and those who have paved the way. At every turn, it is about disrespect and controversy. The cover needs to be rescinded and redone. Nicki needs to go away, quietly.

This ‘cover-photo’ is absolutely disgusting and extremely disrespectful to the legacy of which was Sir. Malcolm X and it just goes to show the ignorance that she, Nicki herself, harbors if she thinks that it’s, even remotely, okay to do such a thing – irrespective of the “metaphors” in which she is trying to present.

How on earth could she have the audacity to juxtapose the words “Lookin’ A** N***a” anywhere near the likeness of a Man of whom is an Icon and hero to many African-American (as well as Black/Ethnic people across our vast diaspora) and progressive people in general?

I am so angry right now, it almost hurts…

hollyw

Mmkay, good for you Nicki, yet another “controversy” to sensationalize your increasingly meaningless career. Whether it is Malcolm X who is being referred to as a n—a, or she is comparing herself to Malcolm X and his struggle…each is highly offensive, and the latter, even absurd.

…but of course, who is surprised???????
*goes back to researching worthy Black History icons and topics*

Kylie

I give up, I really do. I continue to hold out hope that this woman can turn around her foolishness and prove her worth as an artist/rapper but I guess not. It’s really dissapointing when the only mainstream black female rapper turns out be a joke. This just really solidifies her ignorance for me.

hollyw

I mean, really, are Missy, Lil Kim, Eve, Trina…h–l, even M.I.A. and Lil Mama really just sitting here soaking this in, like, “Yeeeah she can get it.” I mean, really?!?!?

HappilyMarriedSwirl

dumb desperate no talent having b****

BabyBlue

I get the premise of the song. But, using the n word that many times made me feel dirty. I felt like I had to wash my mouth and ears out with soap. This is what desensitizing does folks

hollyw

I’m sure it was all intentional. Because, why not. Just putting out a sensical song with real meaning for Black Americans is too boring for her, she has to sell her soul…I mean, ‘controversy’, as well.

I can barely NOT wait for her to “respond to the haters” on how dumb they were to not have gotten this extremely profound message she is offering. *yawn* Next.

BabyBlue

A mess.

Live_in_LDN

I’m trying to be outraged but I’m really not…I’ve only heard the song once. It is subpar in my opinion but her use of Malcomn X does not arouse me like it has those who commented. I can kind of see why some people are vexed but Nicki is rapping about sub par males, the same type of males Malcomn was fighting or would have tried to hold him back. It’s dumb to use an icon like this but nah i’m not outraged.

hollyw

“…the same type of males Malcolm was fighting…” Yeah, that is the outrageous part. Ridiculous, rather. Twitter haters in no way compare to the CIA, Muslim Brotherhood, and 1960s racists with torches. Nice try (for her), though.

HappilyMarriedSwirl

Exactly

Nia

You are stupid.

thatguy0101

Hahaha, she is very f**kin stupid…

Live_in_LDN

Excellent rebuttal keyboard warrior.

Guest

F**ktard! Bytch go do your research on Malcolm X and what he fought for.

Jan

I never liked her. I always saw through her gimmicks and lace front glue. How offensive to use his legacy in that way, and to follow it up with a subpar song at best. But! this is the same women who called us little nappy head hoes and bragged on so called good hair. I am sorry , but i can’t with her. I grew up lboogie, latifah, eve, foxy, mc lyte, yoyo, missy, dabrat, and missy elliott, i can’t call what she does hip hop or even respect her attempts to imitate it.

Chelley

I never liked her either. I’ve TRIED to but she stays acting like a fool. To this day I stand by my opinion that the reason why she’s famous is because people were desperate to see a famous female rapper. But we should be promoting a female rapper who isn’t as dense and disrespectful as she is.

Val

I liked her initially but when she came out with the song “Stupid H*oe” I was done with her. So, this new thing using Malcolm’s image doesn’t surprise me. But, all this stuff is completely missed by her White audience. They love her. So I doubt she cares what we think. She’s turned into a minstrel.